Delight in the Charm of an Old-Fashioned Christmas at Hearthside House Museum

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The holiday season is here, and the Hearthside House Museum in Lincoln is offering six openings during December, four prior to the holiday and two after, to experience an “Old-Fashioned Christmas” in the 200-year old mansion. One step inside and the beauty, charm, and magic of Christmas’ past comes alive.  Guests of all ages are in for a nostalgic journey back in time to recall their own memories, with the warmth and coziness of a fire in the fireplace, festively-appointed mantles and trees, garlands adorning the staircase and doorways, gifts under the tree, and Jolly Old St. Nick himself.   The dates are Saturday & Sunday, December 6 & 7; Saturday & Sunday, December 13 & 14; and following Christmas on Saturday and Sunday, December 27 & 28.

Volunteers have worked for weeks to get ready for this favorite time of year, and the results are displayed in every room from the first floor right to the third floor attic. Guests will learn about the traditions of Christmas while enjoying the delightful sights, sounds, and aromas throughout the house. Volunteers dressed in period finery in each room, holiday music, and seasonal treats from the kitchen all add to the festivities.  Of course, at each opening before Christmas, Santa will be awaiting visits from children with their lists ready, and parents standing by with cameras in hand.

Self-guided tours allow for the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the house at a leisurely pace at all four openings prior to Christmas. The season kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 6th between 12:30-4:00 p.m. Staggered admission slots every 15 minutes help to avoid crowds at any one time.  St. Nicholas Day, which happens to fall on opening day, features Aurora, a special horse who will be visiting from the North Pole and available for photos by the gazebo.  Legend has it that St. Nicholas rode a horse to deliver gifts on December 6th.  

Children who may be too shy for an in-person visit or those who may not be able to attend the pre-Christmas events, have the option of dropping off a letter to him in the Santa Mailbox located outdoors at the back entrance. Children are asked to make sure to include their wish list and if a phone number is included, Santa will make personal phone calls to each child before Christmas. 

With children as the focus of the holidays, festivities also take place next door at the charming one-room schoolhouse, the Pullen’s Corner Schoolhouse, next door to Chase Farm Park for “Christmas at the Schoolhouse"  on Sunday, Dec. 7th and the following Sunday, Dec. 14th.  "Harmonies of Hope" will feature songs and skits to portray the background stories of some beloved Christmas carols performed by youth schoolhouse volunteers.  Two performances are offered on each date at 12 noon and at 1:00 p.m.  Space is limited and reservations must be made in advance.  

The two dates after Christmas offers a wonderful opportunity to not only enjoy the decorations, but to learn about the history of this stately home through guided tours held during the evening.  Home for the Holidays takes place on Saturday, December 27th and Sunday, December 28th.  Advance tickets are required since space is limited on the tours which take place between 4:30-7:30 pm.  Timed entry is every half hour with the last at 6 pm. These tours are geared toward adults and older children who are history buffs and last over an hour. 

To reserve in advance and purchase tickets for any of the December openings, visit www.hearthsidehouse.org. 

The award-winning Hearthside House Museum is decorated and managed by the Friends of Hearthside, an all-volunteer organization that has worked to preserve the Town-owned historic house and the other historic properties at the Great Road Heritage Campus at Chase Farm Park, that includes the Pullen's Corner Schoolhouse, the Hannaway Blacksmith Shop, the Moffett Mill as well as the Hearthside House Museum. Funds raised through the tours and events support programming to keep history alive. For more information, www.hearthsidehouse.org,  email info@hearthsidehouse.org, or call the museum at 726-0597.